Royal Dental College

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the field of dentistry by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, optimizing treatment planning, and improving clinical efficiency. This narrative review highlights current applications of AI across various dental specialties, including oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics, conservative dentistry and endodontics, pediatric and preventive dentistry, orthodontics, periodontics, implantology, public health dentistry, and oral pathology. AI-based systems demonstrate high accuracy in detecting dental caries, periodontal disease, fractures, oral lesions, and maxillofacial pathologies through advanced image analysis and machine learning algorithms. Furthermore, AI facilitates digital workflows such as CAD/CAM prosthesis design, orthodontic treatment planning, surgical outcome prediction, tele-dentistry, epidemiological surveillance, and virtual clinical assistance. While AI strengthens clinical decision-making and patient-centered care, challenges related to data quality, ethical considerations, and clinical validation remain. Continued research and regulatory oversight are essential to ensure the safe and effective integration of AI into routine dental practice.